Photocomposing machine

ABSTRACT

A photocomposing machine is described having a character carrier such as a drum or disk with short duration flash exposure means positioned to flash a selected character on demand through an optics system onto a photorecording member such as photographic film or paper. The output of the optics system escapes or scans across a line on the film. The character carrier bears a plurality of rows of characters and a selector device selects and feeds to the optical system characters from one of the several character rows.

United States Patent Ebner July 1, 1975 [54] pno'rocomposmc MACHINE 3,108,521 l0/l963 Dyer 354 12 [75] Inventor: Peter R. Elmer, Lowell, Mass. Primary Examiner john M- Hora [73] Assignee: Graphic Systems, Inc., Lowell, Attorney, Agent, or FirmAlfred H. Rosen; Frank A.

Mass. Steinhilper [22] Filed. Feb. 15, 1974 ABSTRACT [2 l 1 Appl 442,807 A photocomposing machine is described having a character carrier such as a drum or disk with short du- [52] US. Cl. 354/13 ratio" flash exposure means Positioned flash a [51] Int. Cl B4lb 21/28 lected character on demand through Optics System 581 Field of Search 354/12, 13, 14, 15, 16, onto a photorewrding member Such as Photographic 354/[7 film or paper. The output of the optics system escapes or scans across a line on the film. The character car- 5 R f n Ci rier bears a plurality of rows of characters and a selec- UNITED STATES PATENTS tor device selects and feeds to the optical system characters from one of the several character rows. 2,653,526 9/1953 Peery 354/15 2909972 10/1959 DeLano 354/ 17 4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 1 PHOTOCOMPOSING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE lNVENTlON The art of photocomposing or photo typesetting has been developed into a number of commercial machines or systems in which alphanumeric characters are sequentially printed on a photographic film or paper to produce a master which then can be further processed to form an offset or other printing master. Ordinarily, a strobe light or other short duration light source is employed to stop the motion of a moving character font and to image a selected character on the film or paper at a precisely positioned location in response to an input signal in the form of a signal from a keyboard or from a paper tape, a magnetic tape or transmitted signal.

Photocomposing machines operated in this way are developing an increasing market. They are characterized by ease of operation, flexibility, economy, comparative lightness of weight and other advantages which are beginning to be more and more realized in the printing industry.

The usual photocomposing machine operates from a character font which generally comprises a photographic film or the like having recorded thereon a row of characters representing a complete alphabet, with or without additional alphanumeric characters corresponding to other necessary signs or symbols for a cornplete font. This film is generally mounted on a moving character carrier such as a disk or drum or on other mechanism which may convey the individual characters sequentially past an exposure zone. In todays technology, the machine usually is computer controlled either by means of a built in computer or by a separate general purpose computer to permit the setting of type at computer operational speeds. According to one type of photocomposing machine as illustrated for example in US. Pat. No. 3,693,516, the alphanumeric characters are sequentially flashed to a stationary optical input and the flashed image is scanned across a photographic film or paper by means of a fiber optics bundle whose output end is mounted on a movable carriage which moves across the film. According to another system, US. Pat. No. 3,6l0,l2l, a similar result is achieved by means of a moving mirror system. It is somewhat more usual to employ moving mirrors or prisms for the optical output. Various other systems are well known in the art and the usual result is that one or several character fonts are mounted on a machine to permit its operation to continue under computer control to print characters on photographic film from a character font mounted on a moving drum or disk.

These systems operate well in character fonts positioned to move in a single line past an exposure zone and, accordingly, accomodate well characters of the sort represented by the English language alphabet or by alphabets of other languages such as French, German or the like. There are, however, certain alphabets or the equivalent such as the Oriental character languages may employ thousands of characters rather than a few dozen characters as with Western languages. Such alphabets or character languages have presented very real difficulties which have been only partially solved. Attempts have been made to break down such Oriental character languages into graphic components or strokes and in efi'ect, to treat the various characters as combinations of individual repetitive components or strokes. These previous attempts have not produced a satisfactory workable commercial product.

The present invention has as its objective a photocomposing machine capable of handling a large number of characters and being in effect a practical work ing machine for uses requiring a multitude of characters, such as Oriental character languages. ln achieving this purpose, a result is that the same machine may be employed to carry alphanumeric characters in a great multiplicity of character faces and styles, and to do so with great ease and simplicity. For example, a present day commercial photocomposing machine typically accomodates about four different fonts of characters and may, if necessary accomodate as many as perhaps eight such fonts of characters, each font comprising approximately different characters or signs. The machine according to the present invention is preferably designed to accomodate somewhat more than 3,000 different characters or signs and may, if desired, be modi fied to accomodate considerably more characters such as several times 3,000 characters or signs. Moreover, the machine according to the present invention accomplishes this result while remaining compatible with many existing machine parts and components useful in manufacture of other photocomposing machines.

One of the results of this invention has been to afford a simple and inexpensive way to multiply or expand the character capabilities of essentially any type of photocomposing machine while still employing many of its standard parts and components.

GENERAL NATURE OF THE INVENTION In general, the invention is a photocomposing machine of vastly expanded font capability. Whereas conventional photocomposing machines now on the market and including those described in prior patents have a font capacity compatible with type composing in the English language or European languages, the present invention has a font capacity compatible with Oriental character languages. In the alternative, the font capacity of the machine according to the present invention permits much greater font capacity for use with Ianguages employing alphabetical characters. For example, present day photocomposing machines can accomodate several different type styles of a 26-character alphabet, whereas the machine according to the present invention can accomodate perhaps 25 to 50 different type styles of such an alphabet.

The machine according to the present invention includes a character carrier having images of characters in a plurality of rows movable sequentially past a character presentation location. A strobe light or other source of short duration flash is positioned to flash on command when a desired character is in the character presentation position. The image of such character is projected toward a track selector device including a plurality of mirrors positionable to select one of the several rows of characters. An optical system then transmits the flash image from the selected track to an optics system controlled by escapement means. The optics output of the optics system is moved linearly across a photorecording member. such as photographic paper or film to record sequentially the images of the selected character.

In a preferred form, a film strip ora plurality of film strips may be mounted on the character carrier, each strip having several rows of characters and a series of strobe lines or slits. Employing six rows of characters. a basic Japanese or Chinese character alphabet may be accomodated. or in the alternative alphanumeric characters may be accomodated in more than 25 different type styles or fonts.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention. the track selector device may comprise a rotatable platform on which are mounted a plurality of mirrors. each inclined at a slightly different position with respect to the platform so that each mirror when moved into position receives a selected flash from a single row of characters.

The nature of the invention is more completely illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a photocomposing machine according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the track selector platform according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the track selector platform illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a portion of the track selector platform;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the section shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of a portion of a film strip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In FIG. I is illustrated diagrammatically a photocomposing machine according to one form of the present invention. A film strip or character font 11 is mounted on a rotatable member such as a drum l2. Positioned within the path of the film strip I is an exciter lamp 14 aimed toward a photocell IS. The film strip 11 is positioned to pass between the lamp l4 and the cell 15. P0- sitioned near the bottom of the film strip is a strobe lamp 16 aimed toward a mask 17. The film strip 11 passes between the strobe lamp 16 and the mask 17. The film strip 11 bears a multiplicity of strobe lines 19 (see FIG. 6) which may be slits or openings in the film. but most conveniently. are clear narrow line images in the photographic film. The film also bears several rows of characters. As illustrated. there are six rows of characters identified as 20-1, 20-2, 20-3, 20-4, 20-5 and 20-6. These rows of characters similarly may be stencils or other openings in the film, but most conveniently are rows of characters photographically recorded on the film strip 1 I. Preferably in rows 20-3 and 20-4, the centrally located rows, are the images of characters which are most frequently used in composing type.

Lens 22 is positioned to gather light from the rows of characters 20-] through 20-6 and direct the image of such rows of characters in an optical system as hereinafter described. Mask 17 has an opening 18 of suffcient height to permit a character flash from any of the rows of characters to pass through the mask onto the optics system of the machine.

Positioned adjacent lens 22 is a track selector device generally designated 24 comprising a platform 25 and a motor 26 adapted to rotate the platform to a desired rotational position. Mounted on the platform 25 are several mirrors 27-1, 27-2, 27-3, 27-4, 27-5 and 27-6. Each of the mirrors 27 is mounted at a slightly difi'erent angle with respect to the platform 25. In one machine as constructed, mirror 27-1 was mounted at an angle of +l .25 with respect to a norm; mirror 27-2 at an angle of +0.75 and mirror 27-3 at an angle of +0.25", while mirror 27-4 was mounted at an angle of O.25 with respect to the same norm; mirror 27-5 at an angle of ).75; and mirror 27-6 at an angle of l .25". Motor 26 is operable to position a selected one of mirrors 27-I through 27-6 in a position directly in the line of the optical path from lens 22.

Positioned adjacent to track selector device 24 and in the optical path therefrom is a mirror 29 shown as being positioned on an angle with respect to the track selector device. Lens 22 focuses an image of the characters from opening 18 at mask 31, having an opening 32. Output device 33 receives a single character image from opening 32 and positions it at a desired output location. The opening 32 in the mask 31 is small. being of such size as to pass images from only a single character from the film strip 11. Accordingly, selective positioning of platform 25 brings into the optical path a selected one of mirrors 27 in such a manner that characters from only a single row on the film strip 11 are projected to the optical output device 33.

The mounting of mirrors 27 on platform 25 is further illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. As shown in these figures, platform 25 supports a mounting frame 35 so constructed as to receive a mirror 27 securely and in fixed position therein. Mounting frame 35 is flexible and secured at one end to platform 25 by means ofa thin flexible bridge 38 connecting hub 37 with platform 35. Set screws 36 provide precise adjustment of mirror angle. secured to platform 25. Two set screws 36, one positioned on each side of mirror 27 are adapted to apply fine adjustment to the angle of mirror 27 with respect to the platform. The platform as an entirety is mounted on hub 37 and thus is rotatable. Mirror 27 desirably is cantilevered so as to reduce structural strain as frame 35 is adjusted.

In FIG. 6 is illustrated a section of film strip 11. A plurality of strobe lines 19 are positioned in a row near one edge of the film. In practice. this is the upper edge and, as described hereinbefore, is adapted to be positioned between lamp I4 and photocell 15. These strobe lines 19 thus act to count the passage of characters through the character presentation or exposure position and in addition, provide a base for timing to permit selective flashing of any character at the precisely correct time. Also on film strip 11 are a multiplicity of characters arranged in rows 20-1 through 20-6. 20-1 in practice is the upper row and 20-6 in practice is the bottom row nearest to the bottom edge of the film strip. In practice. this film strip is mounted so that all the rows 20 of characters pass between strobe lamp l6 and mask 17. Desirably. the outside character rows 20-1 and 20-6 contain the characters or fonts least frequently used in photocomposing, while the center rows, 20-3 and 20-4, contain the characters most frequently employed.

When the track selector device 24 is moved from one position to another to select a different row of characters 20 on the film strip 11, the selection is accomplished by rotating platform 25 to bring the desired selection mirror 27 onto the line of the optical path. Motor 26 and the assembled platform 25 with its mirrors 27 have been found in one embodiment of the photocomposing machine to permit movement from one track selection to another in 25 milliseconds. Thus, a fully accurate exposure of a selected character can be made in an extremely short time. Even if there is some residual rotary motion of a selection mirror, such motion is of insignificant result since the entire mirror surface is positioned at the correct angle with respect to the platform and since the motion from one selection position to another is virtually parallel with the mirror surface.

The entire machine is generally of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,693,5l6. It may, however, be a combination of the mechanisms disclosed and claimed herein in conjunction with other photocomposing machines conventionally on the market. The present invention may be employed in combination with machines such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,787,654, U.S. Pat. No. 2,790,362, U.S. Pat. No. 3,6l0,l2l and U.S. Pat. No. 2,725,803.

Film strip 11 illustrated in FIG. 6 may comprise a single strip or photographic film or a single character carrier mounted for continuous motion past an exposure or character presentation location. According to the presently preferred structure of the photocomposing machine according to this invention, film strip 11 is divided into four segments, each releasably mounted on a disk or drum as for example is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,721 ,l74. In this connection, one of the significant advantages of the invention is realized in that there is a high degree of interchangeability of parts, components and structures in utilizing this invention in a complete line of photocomposing products in that the drum 12, its associated mounting members for the film strip, the various lamps, photocells and optics system can be essentially identical with the corresponding parts and components employed with the present invention, thus affording major economies in manufacture.

I claim:

1. A photocomposing machine comprising a rotatable character store bearing a multiplicity of characters in a plurality of rows rotatable through a character presentation location, means to illuminate said characters on demand in said plurality of rows, optical means to project an image of said characters in an optical path to an optical output movable over a photorecording member, and selector means in said optical means to select a single row of characters from said plurality or rows, said selector means comprising a plurality of optical selection members each mounted in a predetermined angular relationship uniquely associated with a single row of characters, and means to move each optical selection member selectively into said optical path in its predetermined angular relationship.

2. A photocomposing machine according to claim 1, wherein said selector means comprises a plurality of mirrors mounted on movable mounting means, each mirror mounted in a different plane and movable into the optical path, each mirror when in position in the optical path being associated with a single row of characters to receive an image of characters from its associated row and to direct said image into the optical path.

3. in a photocomposing machine having a character store bearing a multiplicity of characters in a plurality of rows movable through a character presentation location, and having means to illuminate said characters on demand to project an image of said characters in an optical path through an optical system to a photorecording member, a track selector device adapted to receive images selectively from one of said rows and direct said images into the optical path, said track selector device comprising a plurality of mirrors mounted on a platform which is rotatable to move each mirror, one at a time, into said optical path, each mirror being mounted in a different plane and associated with a single row of characters and being adapted to reflect said associated row of characters from the character presentation location to said photorecording member.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said plurality of mirrors are mounted on a rotatable platform at unique angles with respect to said platform, each angle being associated with and adapted to bring about reflection of characters from a single row to said photorecording member. 

1. A photocomposing machine comprising a rotatable character store bearing a multiplicity of characters in a plurality of rows rotatable through a character presentation location, means to illuminate said characters on demand in said plurality of rows, optical means to project an image of said characters in an optical path to an optical output movable over a photorecording member, and selector means in said optical means to select a single row of characters from said plurality or rows, said selector means comprising a plurality of optical selection members each mounted in a predetermined angular relationship uniquely associated with a single row of characters, and means to move each optical selection member selectively into said optical path in its predetermined angular relationship.
 2. A photocomposing machine according to claim 1, wherein said selector means comprises a plurality of mirrors mounted on movable mounting means, each mirror mounted in a different plane and movable into the optical path, each mirror when in position in the optical path being associated with a single row of characters to receive an image of characters from its associated row and to direct said image into the optical path.
 3. In a photocomposing machine having a character store bearing a multiplicity of characters in a plurality of rows movable through a character presentation location, and having means to illuminate said characters on demand to project an image of said characters in an optical path through an optical system to a photorecording member, a track selector device adapted to receive images selectively from one of said rows and direct said images into the optical path, said track selector device comprising a plurality of mirrors mounted on a platform which is rotatable to move each mirror, one at a time, into said optical path, each mirror being mounted in a different plane and associated with a single row of characters and being adapted to reflect said associated row of characters from the character presentation location to said photorecording member.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said plurality of mirrors are mounted on a rotatable platform at unique angles with respect to said platform, each angle being associated with and adapted to bring about reflection of characters from a single row to said photorecording member. 